« previous next »
Pages: [1] 2   Go Down

Author Topic: If you could only own one rifle/caliber  (Read 3974 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline S.B.

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (6)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3953
  • Gender: Male
If you could only own one rifle/caliber
« on: January 23, 2009, 09:35:50 PM »
in Alaska and you didn't reload and only had contact with others every 6 months or so, what would it be?
Steve
Logged
"The Original Point and Click Interface was a Smith & Wesson."
Life member of NRA, USPSA,ISRA
AF&AM #294
LIUNA #996 for the past 34 years/now retired!

Offline buffermop

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 946
Re: If you could only own one rifle/caliber
« Reply #1 on: January 24, 2009, 01:24:24 AM »
12 GAUGE SHOTGUN.
Logged

Offline williamlayton

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 15415
Re: If you could only own one rifle/caliber
« Reply #2 on: January 24, 2009, 03:07:02 AM »
For me, under the conditions above, it would be something I could get too my head. Six months without human contact would drive me nuts.
Now, for most folks, 6 months without contact with me would be a blessing.  :D ::) :P :-* ;)
Blessings
Logged
TEXAS, by GOD

Offline hillbill

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3285
Re: If you could only own one rifle/caliber
« Reply #3 on: January 24, 2009, 03:17:01 AM »
i would take a survey and see what is the easiest caliber to obtain ammo for. that would be what id stik with. 30-06 might be a good choice if its popular up there.
Logged

Offline Siskiyou

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3417
  • Gender: Male
Re: If you could only own one rifle/caliber
« Reply #4 on: January 24, 2009, 06:25:57 AM »
My father-in-law and family lived in Alaska before it became a state.  He had three firearms, a single shot .22 rifle, a M37 pump shotgun, and a bolt action 30-06. 
Logged
There is a learning process to effectively using a gps.  Do not throw your compass and map away!

Boycott: San Francisco, L.A., Oakland, and City of Sacramento, CA.

Offline Graybeard

  • Administrator
  • Trade Count: (69)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 27050
  • Gender: Male
Re: If you could only own one rifle/caliber
« Reply #5 on: January 24, 2009, 12:51:40 PM »
This really needs input from folks in Alaska but from what I recall reading from their previous posts the big three always available up there are .30-06, .338 Win. Mag. and .375 H&H Mag. No matter where you go hunting you'll likely find .30-06, .375 H&H and 12 gauge ammo for sale.
Logged


Bill aka the Graybeard
President, Graybeard Outdoor Enterprises
256-435-1125

I am not a lawyer and do not give legal advice.

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life anyone who believes in Him will have everlasting life!

Offline Dand

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (35)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2974
Re: If you could only own one rifle/caliber
« Reply #6 on: January 24, 2009, 09:17:52 PM »
I'm a life long Alaskan and have lived in a number of communities, from Anchorage and Fairbanks to mostly SW Alaska out to Dutch Harbor.  Unless you plan to live on one of the far out Aleutian Islands, I have a hard time figuring out where you'll be that you won't see anybody for 6 mon.  Doesn't sound very realistic unless you are trying very very hard to avoid people.  Guess I'm too much of a gun nut to be willing accept only 1 gun. And it would depend on what part of the state you plan to be in and what you plan to be doing.  The 3 gun arsenal posted earlier would be my choice. Only a 12 ga might work but darn the shells are heavy and bulky.
Logged
NRA Life

liberal Justice Hugo Black said, and I quote: "There are 'absolutes' in our Bill of Rights, and they were put there on purpose by men who knew what words meant and meant their prohibitions to be 'absolutes.'" End quote. From a recent article by Wayne LaPierre NRA

Offline 45north

  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 225
Re: If you could only own one rifle/caliber
« Reply #7 on: January 30, 2009, 03:58:06 PM »
We really need more information. If that 6 months were October-March in the interior a good bolt or lever rifle in 22 lr. is all that you need, plus ammo is cheap and light weight. If on the other hand you were (anywhere on the coast) from Tin City to Craig and it's summer that same 22lr. is not much of a comfort for bear protection. And that goes for the rest of the state for that matter.
 My choice would be a good bolt action 30/06, 338, 375 and the same in a 22 lr. no shotgun, any birds,tree rats,fox,rabbits ect can be taken with the 22 lr. use the center fire for everything else.
just an opinion
45north
Logged

Offline corbanzo

  • Moderator
  • Trade Count: (2)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2405
Re: If you could only own one rifle/caliber
« Reply #8 on: January 31, 2009, 07:39:50 PM »
That depends totally on the use. 

The 12 gauge isn't going to do you much good if you are hunting caribou.

The .22 isn't going to do you much good if you are planning on hunting big game.

The -06 isn't going to do you much good on small game.

If i didn't have any plans for hunting, but just wanted one gun to have "just in case" it would probably be a 12 gauge.


For everything, if you were very limited on what to bring, I would say a .338 mag, and a .22 pistol. 
Logged
"At least with a gun that big, if you miss and hit the rocks in front of him it'll stone him to death..."

Offline Daveinthebush

  • Moderator
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1732
Re: If you could only own one rifle/caliber
« Reply #9 on: February 24, 2009, 04:04:18 AM »
Savage overunder in 12 gauge and 30/30.  One gun, covers almost everything up here.  With Dixie slugs it is adeguate for brown bears.  #6 shot for ptargiman and rabbits.  30/30 is adequate on other game if you are a good hunter.

But if you want just one caliber and don't reload, .223!

One gun though, 12 gauge.  A slug will easily harvest any animal up here (except the costal bears) out to 125 yards or so.
Logged
AK Bowhunting Certification Instructor
AK Hunter Certification Instructor
IBEP Bowhunting Certification Instructor

Offline Sourdough

  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8150
  • Gender: Male
Re: If you could only own one rifle/caliber
« Reply #10 on: February 25, 2009, 09:51:04 AM »
After 40 years in Alaska, one gun and one gun only.  That's easy, 30-06!!!!

You don't waste shells on birds, rabbits, or other small game.  That's what traps, snares, and deadfalls are for.  30-06 is good for Moose, Caribou, and Sheep, for food.  It's also good for protection against Grizzlies, Brownies, Black Bears, and Wolves.

Now what do I personally carry during the summer.  It's a toss-up between a 30-06 Handi, and a .338WM TCR, both are single shots.  Depends on my mood when I leave the house.
Logged
Where is old Joe when we really need him?  Alaska Independence    Calling Illegal Immigrants "Undocumented Aliens" is like calling Drug Dealers "Unlicensed Pharmacists"
What Is A Veteran?
A 'Veteran' -- whether active duty, discharged, retired, or reserve -- is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America,' for an amount of 'up to, and including his life.' That is honor, and there are way too many people in this country today who no longer understand that fact.

Offline shootercochran

  • Trade Count: (11)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 238
Re: If you could only own one rifle/caliber
« Reply #11 on: March 12, 2009, 07:42:49 AM »
You could go along ways with that one.  For me it would be a 54 caliber muzzleloader, or .22 rifle.  That would be my decision and somepeople wouldn't like it, but I feel you could do some things with the muzzleloader you couldn't do with other rifles.
Logged

Offline BBF

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 10042
  • Gender: Male
  • I feel much better now knowing it will get worse.
Re: If you could only own one rifle/caliber
« Reply #12 on: March 13, 2009, 03:40:51 PM »
  A 35 Whelen Pump Action with a shortened barrel
Logged
What is the point of Life if you can't have fun.

Offline shootercochran

  • Trade Count: (11)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 238
Re: If you could only own one rifle/caliber
« Reply #13 on: March 16, 2009, 08:48:03 AM »
I'm moving to alaska in a couple of years. I'm taking a bolt action .30-06 and a bolt action .22.

I don't see how you can really do only one rifle.  You can get both for under 500 dollars.
Logged

Offline SHOOTALL

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 23836
Re: If you could only own one rifle/caliber
« Reply #14 on: March 16, 2009, 12:46:44 PM »
how about a 30-06 with a 30 carbine adapter for small stuff if you really need a small round ? The guy who makes the adapters lives up there .
Where i hunt in Canada they hunt bear with a slug gun . I was checking on a hunt and they recommend one . Some said it was not good for costal bears ?
I haven't hunted anything but black bear so just asking ?
Logged
If ya can see it ya can hit it !

Offline corbanzo

  • Moderator
  • Trade Count: (2)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2405
Re: If you could only own one rifle/caliber
« Reply #15 on: March 16, 2009, 01:32:59 PM »
30 carbine isn't going to do you much good.  Well, maybe a good fox gun, but that is about it.  Anything you are going to eat it will be too big for. 
Logged
"At least with a gun that big, if you miss and hit the rocks in front of him it'll stone him to death..."

Offline woodchukhntr

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (108)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2359
Re: If you could only own one rifle/caliber
« Reply #16 on: March 16, 2009, 01:36:38 PM »
A .30-06.  I can reload everything from .22 equivalent with round balls to 220 gr. maximum loads for big stuff.
Logged

Offline S.B.

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (6)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3953
  • Gender: Male
Re: If you could only own one rifle/caliber
« Reply #17 on: March 16, 2009, 02:06:20 PM »
Quote from: corbanzo on March 16, 2009, 01:32:59 PM
30 carbine isn't going to do you much good.  Well, maybe a good fox gun, but that is about it.  Anything you are going to eat it will be too big for. 
Oh, I don't know? I read in Castner's Cutthroats that it was the prefered weapon of Alaskan Scouts? But, these guys were all hunters and trappers(outdoorsmen).
Steve
Logged
"The Original Point and Click Interface was a Smith & Wesson."
Life member of NRA, USPSA,ISRA
AF&AM #294
LIUNA #996 for the past 34 years/now retired!

Offline deltecs

  • Trade Count: (2)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1605
  • Gender: Male
Re: If you could only own one rifle/caliber
« Reply #18 on: March 16, 2009, 02:21:32 PM »
I'd have to go along with Sourdough, 30-06.  However, when one lives in the bush and doesn't see people for 6 months at a time and my wife and I do just that, it is unrealistic to have only one rifle for hunting.  A good .22 rimfire rifle and/or short gun, a 12 gauge for ducks, geese, and other small game, a 30-06, and a CCW handgun are probably the minimum for the outdoorsman who eats game and needs personal protection.
Logged
Greg lost his battle with cancer last week on April 2nd 2009. RIP Greg. We miss you.

Greg
deltecs
Detente: An armed citizenry versus a liberal society
Opinion(s) are expressly mine alone and do not necessarily agree with those of GB or GBO mgmt.

Offline SHOOTALL

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 23836
Re: If you could only own one rifle/caliber
« Reply #19 on: March 17, 2009, 02:07:40 AM »
i see the carbine as a subsitute for a 22 mag that can be shot in a 30-06 . a couple 100 take up little space and could offer 100 small game meals .
Logged
If ya can see it ya can hit it !

Offline woodchukhntr

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (108)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2359
Re: If you could only own one rifle/caliber
« Reply #20 on: March 17, 2009, 05:48:52 AM »
Quote from: SHOOTALL on March 17, 2009, 02:07:40 AM
i see the carbine as a subsitute for a 22 mag that can be shot in a 30-06 . a couple 100 take up little space and could offer 100 small game meals .

What, you don't line 2 or 3 up so you can shoot them all with one shot? :)
Logged

Offline corbanzo

  • Moderator
  • Trade Count: (2)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2405
Re: If you could only own one rifle/caliber
« Reply #21 on: March 17, 2009, 08:52:33 AM »
Quote from: SHOOTALL on March 17, 2009, 02:07:40 AM
i see the carbine as a subsitute for a 22 mag that can be shot in a 30-06 . a couple 100 take up little space and could offer 100 small game meals .

You ever shoot a spruce chicken in the breast with a .22 mag?  Not pretty.  A .30 is gonna do you even worse.  Maybe if you are hunting rabbits, but in most of Alaska, your small game eating is gonna be sprucers and ptarmigan, both of which don't like anything bigger than a .22 - head shots excepted.  Even so...  how does a 40 grain bullet at 2000fps compare to a 100 grain bullet at 1900fps?  Way more out of the carbine.  I guess if you wanted to make the definition of "small game" to include lynx, beaver, and wolf, I would see why you might want a .30 carbine.  - But I still say it is too big for most small game, and too small for most big game.  A good trapper round... maybe.
Logged
"At least with a gun that big, if you miss and hit the rocks in front of him it'll stone him to death..."

Offline SHOOTALL

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 23836
Re: If you could only own one rifle/caliber
« Reply #22 on: March 17, 2009, 10:11:36 AM »
The small critters i have shot with a 30 car. ball ammo - just a hole not much more really . Didn't think Va. critters were that much tuffer than others
Logged
If ya can see it ya can hit it !

Offline shootercochran

  • Trade Count: (11)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 238
Re: If you could only own one rifle/caliber
« Reply #23 on: March 19, 2009, 10:30:17 AM »
Instead of .30 carbine, Get the .30-06 to .32 ACP adaptor.  .32 acp is simular to .22 lr. 


I for one don't like the idea of an adaptor, because if you lose the adaptor, (easy to do, it looks alot like a cartridge) your stuck!  A .22 LR rifle is cheaper to feed and it's not as easy to lose!
Logged

Offline Dand

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (35)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2974
Re: If you could only own one rifle/caliber
« Reply #24 on: March 19, 2009, 10:54:53 AM »
I'm with Corbanzo and others who don't like the 30 carbine option. Its not that the animals are tough but destruction of meat - tho I have shot rabbits and grouse with 38 wad cutters. Also expense and weight of ammo would be a big consideration.  Shootercochran's  22 lr and 30-06 is a very good choice.  I know some people who may have taken a moose or 2  with a 30 carbine while homesteading in the 1950's but from the stories I heard it did not sound like a good way to go.

Logged
NRA Life

liberal Justice Hugo Black said, and I quote: "There are 'absolutes' in our Bill of Rights, and they were put there on purpose by men who knew what words meant and meant their prohibitions to be 'absolutes.'" End quote. From a recent article by Wayne LaPierre NRA

Offline SHOOTALL

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 23836
Re: If you could only own one rifle/caliber
« Reply #25 on: March 19, 2009, 11:19:38 AM »
22LR ammo is less water proof than any centerfire ammo .
Logged
If ya can see it ya can hit it !

Offline Swampman

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (44)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 16518
  • Gender: Male
Re: If you could only own one rifle/caliber
« Reply #26 on: March 19, 2009, 12:16:02 PM »
Like Calvin Rutstrum, it would be a .30-30 carbine.  Mine is a ....

Marlin 336 in .30-30. with a scope.

Logged
"Brother, you say there is but one way to worship and serve the Great Spirit. If there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so much about it? Why not all agreed, as you can all read the Book?" Sogoyewapha, "Red Jacket" - Senaca

1st Special Operations Wing 1975-1983
919th Special Operations Wing  1983-1985 1993-1994

"Manus haec inimica tyrannis / Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem" ~Algernon Sidney~

Offline SHOOTALL

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 23836
Re: If you could only own one rifle/caliber
« Reply #27 on: March 19, 2009, 12:42:51 PM »
DID THEY CLOSE REMINGTON ?
Logged
If ya can see it ya can hit it !

Offline hunt-m-up

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (27)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1122
  • Gender: Male
Re: If you could only own one rifle/caliber
« Reply #28 on: March 19, 2009, 12:48:24 PM »
Quote from: SHOOTALL on March 19, 2009, 12:42:51 PM
DID THEY CLOSE REMINGTON ?
No they just re-directed all production to Marlin, determined it's the better of the two lines... :o
Logged
Crosman Slingshot, Daisy Red Ryder, dull butter knife

Offline SHOOTALL

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 23836
Re: If you could only own one rifle/caliber
« Reply #29 on: March 19, 2009, 12:50:57 PM »
GEE that makes perfect sense
Logged
If ya can see it ya can hit it !
Pages: [1] 2   Go Up
« previous next »